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Position Battles: Safeties
Brandon Meriweather - Meriweather has yet to play in a preseason game and has practiced sparingly as he recovers from last year's knee injury. He is expected to be the starting strong safety assuming he is healthy, but at this point that is not entirely a given. The Redskins are hoping he can step in and be a leader on the defense this year.
Trending: No change
Bacarri Rambo - Rambo came in as a sixth round pick and has lined up at the starting free safety spot all of training camp and the preseason. While coaches have praised him for his speed and ability to learn the defense, he has not exactly shined in the preseason games. His biggest weakness thus far has been his propensity to take bad angles when pursuing, however he has shown that he is able learn from his mistakes and correct them. Coaches are hoping he can show more progression in the next two weeks and not be a liability when the season begins.
Trending: Down
Reed Doughty - Doughty is showing again this preseason why coaches love him. He is not the most athletic or physically gifted player, but he plays smart, knows the defense and consistently puts himself in the right position to make plays. He has also played with reckless abandon on special teams. Doughty will be big part of this Redskins defense this season.
Trending: Up
DeJon Gomes - He was given the start at strong safety in the second preseason game against the Steelers, but did not play his best game and was hit with two unnecessary roughness penalties in the first half. Gomes is no guarantee to make this roster and will need better performances in the next two weeks.
Trending: Down
Jordan Pugh - Even though he is listed as the second team free safety on the current depth chart, Pugh spent some time with the first team at strong safety on passing downs in training camp. Coaches like his speed and while he has not done much in the preseason, he has demonstrated a real ability to cover the field in practice.
Trending: Up
Jose Gumbs - Gumbs got into the game on Monday shortly after halftime and had two big hits. He is another example, however, of a player who is low on the depth chart and will most likely not have enough opportunities to make this squad.
Trending: Up
Phillip Thomas - Thomas has been placed on IR after suffering a dreaded lisfranc injury to his left foot. He will miss the season.
Trending: N/A
Tanard Jackson - I put Jackson on this list as he technically still has a chance to be on the roster in two weeks. He was suspended for a full year last August after failing multiple drug tests, but will be eligible for reinstatement at the end of the month. At the beginning of training camp, he was barely an afterthought. However, with Thomas out for the year and Meriweather's status uncertain, he may be one to keep an eye on.
Trending: N/A